Chapter 7

Cora

My journey into my mother's business world wasn't an easy one because she had lots of rivals. I wondered how she wasn't dead with the number of enemies she had, even the ones working under her and with her.

I was in a conference room with my mother and her partners when I began to feel some pains around my lower abdomen. I thought it was just the normal pain until it became harder the second time. I tried to hide the discomfort I felt but unfortunately, my mother had caught sight of me.

"Are you okay, dear?" She asked. My breathing seized because of the number of eyes that turned to me. It made me quite nervous but as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, another contraction hit me. This time, it was followed by a small sound. I held my stomach and stood up. It was then it dawned on me that the baby was coming.

My mother halted the meeting and made sure I was rushed to the hospital while she continued with the meeting. I had a feeling I was going into labour that morning but I overlooked it because I knew my mother needed me in her meeting that day. It was so sad that I still ended up missing it.

The pains were getting worse. If I had listened to my mother, I would have opted for a C-section.

"You're 7 centimeters dilated." My labor nurse said to me. I felt irritated by everything and everyone around me. I just wanted the whole process to be over as soon as possible. I've heard of women who were in labor for two days and more and I prayed earnestly that mine wouldn't exceed a day.

My breathing was becoming erratic and I needed my mother by my side. I picked up my phone and dialed her number but it wasn't reachable.

"Come on mother. I need you." I whined as the heat around my private increased. Despite it not being reachable, I continued trying with the hopes that it would eventually go through.

"Your mother passed away shortly after you left." Her old secretary explained in tears as she stood before me.

"What rubbish are you talking about? Where is my mother?" I yelled and she flinched. I was only meters away from slapping the daylight out of her.

"How dare you stand before me and say this nonsense? I believe you no longer like your job. Just wait until I'm out of here."

As I walked around the hospital trying to ease my pain and reaching out to my mother, I saw some very disturbing news. It was a rough accident between a car and a trailer. The trailer had crushed the car to the extent that the bodies were scattered. I was about to look away when I saw my mother's necklace on the woman who was lying on the floor.

My phone fell to the ground at the thought of her being my mother.

"It can't be!" I screamed across the hall, causing all eyes to be on me.

I hurried toward the TV to get a clear view. My mother's pictures were all over the news.

My heart palpitated hard against my ribcage. That forced me into immense pain. I didn't know if it was the pain from my baby or the sudden death of my mother.

All of a sudden, I didn't have the courage to push my child. I was weak to the knees. Barely nine months after I had known my mother, she died.

"Push!" The nurses yelled at me. I was trying so hard but the baby wasn't forthcoming. I was about to give up when I saw a hand on me. I looked up to see my mother smiling at me.

"Mom... I knew the news was fake." I spoke with a small smile.

"You can do this baby girl. I'm here now."

When I heard the next push, I did it with all my strength. I could feel the baby's head moving. After the fourth push, she came out. I was exhausted but I felt happy hearing her cry. Right before my eyes, my mother slowly faded away and in less than a minute, everything became blank.

I don't know how long I was out but I woke up to see my baby beside me, sleeping peacefully. I smiled wildly at the thought of being a mother but that smile didn't last. It was followed by tears when I remembered that my mother was gone.

The nurses tried to comfort me as I wailed like a siren but their efforts proved abortive. Once again, I felt all alone.

"You get a hold of yourself and go take over the company." My mother's advisor told me for the past two days of me being in the hospital. Her death threw me off balance that I didn't want to do anything but just cry. I lost interest in the business and everything. I was nothing without a mother in my life.

I looked down at my suckling two-day-old baby. She was looking beautiful as ever.

"Lisa Jane Moore..." I called her full name. I named her after my deceased mother, Jane. I wanted to always remember her.

"I believe your mother's death wasn't ordinary. I have a strong feeling it was planned." The advisor said with a serious tone. I never thought of it that way. And I would believe it because she had lots of people who wanted her out of the way.

"They're picking out a successor today in your absence. Do you really want to give everything up?"

I looked at my child and then at the advisor.

"I also believe that my mother's death was planned. And whoever did it will try to take over everything despite an heir. Instead of us going to them, why don't they come to us?"

I was already thinking of a way of fishing out those who were involved. I vowed to make them pay with their lives.

"I will avenge my mother and I will bring her oppressors to justice."

****

In less than three hours, I was ready to become the heir to my mother's company and get rid of every pest.

"And now, after all the voting had been made, the new CEO of The Moore Empire is-----"

I didn't let him finish before barging in. With my loud clicking heel sounds, I walked to my mother's seat and sat down.

"Why hold a meeting without the head of the group? Did you think I was down and out?" I asked with a sly smile. I could see lots of angry faces and made my heart flutter. I was getting on their nerves. The killer is bound to come up at some point.

"There is no proof that you are the heir to the group. You're just an imposter!" Felix, the man with the third highest shares exclaimed as he pointed at me. I threw the pieces of evidence of my relationship with my mother toward them.

"I believe this will clear your doubt." I let silence take over.

"Also, her will is there. Go through it and let me know if you still have doubts." I stood up and began pacing about.

"As you all know, my mother died a tragic death two days ago, and may her soul rest in peace. I'm here as the new CEO of this group and if you have a problem with that, feel free to walk out that door."

I got back to my seat and sat down.

"Meeting dismissed." I waved my hand curtly. I watched all of them bow slightly to me. I didn't know victory could be this sweet but I also knew there was going to be a blood battle ahead.

But for now, revenge.